11 startups with more innovative perks than pingpong tables and beer kegs

By Jeffrey via Flickr More and more startups have realized that benefits like creative equity plans and favorable parental-leave policies increase employee satisfaction better than pool tables and endless supplies of free food.

This internet service provider pays for its employees to attend a conference that they believe will encourage their personal development and also gives them free Amazon Kindles loaded up with inspiring books recommended by the founders.

Luminary Labs

2/

Employees at Next Jump actually *vote* on who the management team should be every year.

Luminary Labs

3/

This beauty-box subscription service celebrates employees' three-year anniversaries in a big way: With extra paid vacation, more equity, and a one-on-one dinner with the CEO.

Luminary Labs

4/

In the same vein, employees at the website Upworthy get a $1,000 vacation stipend per year.

Luminary Labs

5/

This office-maintenance company makes all of its new employees stay late their first week learning how to clean the office, to build empathy with the people who do it as a full-time job.